Communication and interaction between native-speaker Norwegian nurses and nurses with Norwegian as a second language in home-based care settings: a qualitative exploratory interpretive study.

INTRODUCTION

Language barriers between healthcare personnel can influence patient safety and result in inadequate follow-up and communication of the patient's needs.

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore how nurses with Norwegian as a first language (NFL) and nurses with Norwegian as a second language (NSL) experience communication and interaction with each other in home-based workplace settings.

METHOD: The study involved in-depth interviews with 14 nurses: seven nurses with NFL and seven with NSL, and Braun and Clarke's framework of reflexive thematic analysis were used.

RESULTS

Two main themes were identified: (1) the importance of mutual understanding in professional settings, with subthemes highlighting the need to double-check written communication and clarify oral exchanges; and (2) the value of social interactions among colleagues, emphasizing challenges posed by diverse cultural backgrounds and the necessity for clarification due to different native languages.

CONCLUSION

This study underscores the communication challenges in interactions between nurses with NFL and NSL in home-based care. Misunderstandings related to limited language skills may pose a notable threat to patient safety. However, despite the language barriers, nurses with NFL and NSL show strong commitment to clarity and quality, and to working in a positive psychosocial work environment. These findings emphasize the need for organizational support, such as intercultural competence training and clear communication routines, to enhance collaboration and patient safety.